Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions: Week 14 Predictions

The Green Bay Packers take the field against the Detroit Lions in Week 14; here are few predictions for how Sunday’s divisional matchup will play out.

This week the Green Bay Packers head to Detroit to face a rejuvenated Lions team under interim head coach Darrell Bevell. Detroit is coming off a typical Matthew Stafford-led fourth-quarter comeback over the Chicago Bears, and they’re looking to keep their fading playoff hopes alive with a win over Green Bay.

As far as injuries go, the Packers’ list continues to shrink, with only three players listed as questionable this week. Jace Sternberger has already been ruled out, and in his place, Dominique Dafney has been elevated from the practice squad for Sunday.

Meanwhile, Equanimeous St. Brown should play as he was a full participant on Friday, and hopefully, Darnell Savage can go as well. Green Bay will need him to help cover TJ Hockenson. Malik Taylor is the other player listed as questionable and has been the Packers’ primary kick return man the previous weeks–so something to certainly keep our eyes on.

For the Lions, they received some good news Sunday morning that both Stafford and D’Andre Swift will play; however, they will be without three key players in WR Kenny Golladay, CB Jeff Okudah, and OT Tyrell Crosby.

As we do each and every week here at Dairyland Express, our crew has put together predictions for this game. Taking a look at how it will play out and what the final score will be. Can the Green Bay Packers finally get an easy win at Ford Field?

Kenny Jilek (8-4)

The Green Bay Packers offense ran all over the Lions in week two, racking up over 250 rushing yards, and while they might not exactly replicate that output, there’s no reason they shouldn’t have a huge day running the ball again. Additionally, rookie cornerback Jeff Okudah is out with an injury, leaving backups to guard Davante Adams. Last week, my style points prediction of Darnell Savage having an interception came true, so I’ll try again, this time with the prediction that either the Packers will rush for 180 yards or Davante Adams will have 150 yards receiving.

Defensively, they’ll need to stop T.J. Hockenson in the middle of the field. Kenny Golladay is still out with an injury, easing the burden on the Packers’ secondary and hopefully making it easy for them to keep the Lions wide receivers quiet, though Danny Amendola could shake loose from the slot as well. Raven Greene hitting the IR certainly doesn’t help their middle of the field defense, but as long as they can stop the run game early, they should be in business.

Prediction: Packers 38 – Lions17

Matt LeVene (4-2)

The red-hot Green Bay Packers head to Ford Field with an opportunity to put the NFL on notice. Already known as one of the NFC’s best, the Pack can clinch the division with a win and some help. On top of this, Detroit will be without their two top corners giving the Packers an opportunity to put up some gaudy offensive numbers. Look for Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams to connect on multiple touchdowns. Rodgers can cement his name atop the MVP race, and Adams can vault into the Offensive Player of the Year conversation with a big performance this week.

Defensively, it is the usual story for the Packers. If you can stop the run, the game will be won. Notorious Packer killer Adrian Peterson and the young D’Andre Swift have become a two-headed monster out of the backfield. If Mike Pettine and his front 7 are to limit the Lions’ rushing attack, they should be in a good spot. Matthew Stafford usually keeps the game close, and his new favorite target T.J. Hockenson could be a matchup problem for the defense with Raven Greene on IR. However, the Packers should be able to leave Detroit with a W.

Prediction: Packers 35 – Lions 27

Trevor Bender (2-1)

Week 14 of the NFL season brings another NFC North Division tilt, this time the second matchup of the year against the 5-7 Detroit Lions. After a crazy come from behind win against the Chicago Bears, Matthew Stafford and the Lions welcome in a Green Bay Packers team that is looking like they are starting to peak, and just in time as playoff football is just a few short weeks away.

The Packers and Lions will meet for the 183rd time on Sunday; the Packers have won the last three matchups and will make that 4 straight wins against the Lions today. The Lions’ defense is not good; they give up the second-most points per game (29.8) in the league, according to ESPN. The advanced metrics agree with this; PFF ($) and Football Outsider’s DVOA ($) ranks the Lions as the worst defense in the NFL.

The Packers’ offense, on the other side, is first in points per game (31.6) and second in both PFF grades and DVOA. So I really don’t see there being a way that this Lions’ defense is going to slow down this Packers’ offense. And on the other side of the ball, the Green Bay defense will play well enough to win this game and move to 10-3 on the season.

Prediction: Packers 45 – Lions 24

Paul Bretl (10-2)

There are two factors that I could see keeping this game closer than what it should be; one is that the Lions are rejuvenated under Darrell Bevell, and two, weird things happen at Ford Field. With that said, this is a matchup of the NFL’s worst defense in many major statistical categories against one of the most productive offenses in the league.

The Lions don’t’ pressure the quarterback, they’ve given up the fifth most explosive passing plays, and they can’t stop the run. Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones, and Davante Adams should all have big days. On defense, with the help of the Packer offense putting up points, that should limit Detroit’s rushing attempts, and Mike Pettine’s unit will do enough to get the win.

Prediction: Packers 38 – Lions 24